Genetically modified (GM) foods contribute to the inflationary trend
in the cost of food to South Africans, according to Glenn Ashton, a prominent
anti-GM product campaigner.

The issue was raised at the third annual food and beverage safety compliance
conference in Rosebank, Johannesburg, held earlier this week under the
auspices of the Institute of International Research. Concerns were also
raised about the lack of consultation over the introduction of GM foods
and crops in South Africa.

The conference heard that, due to market demands, many producers and
suppliers now insist on GM-free products and ingredients. Ashton said that
the estimated increase of between 0,5% and 5% that the segregation of GM
and non-GM crops costs, introduced an unnecessary and uninvited inflationary
trend. He said that neither farmers nor food producers would willingly
accept the cost of segregating GM products. Instead this would be passed
on to consumers.

Several speakers said that the current types of GM crops offer consumers
no advantage whatsoever. It is therefore unacceptable that users bear the
costs should negative financial, health or environmental effects occur.

Ashton highlighted the fact that any negative health, environmental
or financial results of using GM crops or food are uninsurable. Recent
Australian and British insurance industry sources claimed that GM food
and crops are as uninsurable as war or nuclear accidents.

"It seems crazy that those who benefit most from these crops ­ the
multi- national corporations that are introducing these crops into the
food chain - do not bear full liability. On the other hand, the food and
beverage industry and consumers are expected to bear not only the costs
of segregation but also the significant risks introduced by this untested
technology," said Ashton.

Ashton cited several animal-feeding studies that linked problems with
the digestive system and other serious ailments to the use of GM products.
These studies warned of the dangers posed by the introduction of GM white
maize into the market this year.

"It is really ironic that our government interrogates the scientific
and economic issues surrounding the HIV/Aids debate and the vested interests
of the pharmaceutical industry on one hand, yet on the other allows the
poorest, least informed majority of our nation to be involuntarily involved
in an unprecedented dietary experiment by multinational corporations,"
said Ashton. "This must be seen in light of a recent article raising concerns
around potentially negative effects of GM crops, particularly on immuno-
suppressed individuals."

Ashton said that the fact that the public is being forced to accept
these crops and products into their diet without consultation defies all
the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.